Neurologic complications of cocaine, amphetamine, and their derivatives

Introduction

Abuse of certain illicit drugs can be complicated by ischemic stroke, intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other neurologic complications (Mathew and Wilson 1991; Baquero and Alfaro 1994; Auer et al 2002). Such agents include the sympathomimetic drugs cocaine and amphetamine, and their derivatives, including "crack," methamphetamine ("meth" or "crystal" or "speed"), "ecstasy," and "eve."